Some 16-4 votes, some unanimous…

The motion for the children’s programs division in the school budget passed unanimously in JFAC this afternoon, on a 20-0 vote. Then, the motion for the division of facilities passed on a 16-4 vote, the same as earlier motions, with Sens. Mortimer, Nuxoll, Vick and Bayer objecting. The final motion, from Rep. Steve Miller for the Division of Educational Services for the Deaf & Blind, passed unanimously.

That wraps up the public school budget-setting, resulting in a new budget that's identical to the previously approved, Senate-rejected one, but for two differences: The two items of intent language that were removed and instead refer to SB 1199, and breaking the technology funds from a single $13.4 million line item into two items, at $3 million and $10.4 million. The joint committee is now looking at the intent language that is tied to the various motions.

There's an unaccustomed, bright light shining down into the JFAC chamber from the skylights above; that's because the committee usually meets in the early morning, but today it's the afternoon sun that's filtering in.